Public Hearing On Dueling Zoning Amendment Requests Set For Feb. 27 In Middletown

MIDDLETOWN — — The planning and zoning commission will hold public hearings on dueling requests for a change in land use rules for the neighborhoods that include Wesleyan University and Middlesex Hospital when it meets Feb. 27.

Developer Robert Landino and Pearl Street resident Ed McKeon, who is also a board of education member, are each seeking to change portions of the "mixed-use" and "institutional development" zoning regulations.

Landino's proposal would allow mixed-use commercial development, and McKeon said his would limit potential development opportunities to keep the neighborhood the way it is now.

Most of the land in the area falls into the institutional development zone, which allows Wesleyan University and Middlesex Hospital to operate in largely residential neighborhoods. Current zoning rules say all land not being used by institutions falls under the mixed-use development rules, which allow only multifamily housing, small neighborhood stores and office space, said city Planning Director William Warner.

Landino's zoning change request seeks to allow mixed-use buildings within the institutional development zone, with retail or restaurants on the first floor and office or residential space on the upper floors. Landino, president of Centerplan Companies, announced preliminary plans in November for a retail development on Washington Street between Pearl and High streets.

The project would not be allowed under current zoning regulations.

Landino's request suggests requiring parking in the rear or on the side of a building rather than along main roads. It also suggests allowing drive-thrus as long as they don't face the street.

"The proposed text change will allow the MX zone to be developed in a much better fashion than the current regulations allow," the application says.

But McKeon, who has been a vocal opponent of the development, said such projects would detract from the character of the area around Wesleyan.

He said he is concerned that Landino's plan would allow modern commercial buildings to replace historic homes.

McKeon's proposal would make noninstitutional uses in the institutional zone revert to residential zoning requirements when there are other houses nearby. It also would allow the commission to grant special permission for "adaptive reuse" of current structures for commercial purposes.

The planning and zoning commission will meet Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. The commission was originally scheduled to take up the zoning requests Feb. 13, but the meeting was postponed due to the Feb. 8 blizzard.